Antoine S. Sayegh, DDS Inc. Dental Blog

Best Treatment for Teeth Grinding in Newport Beach CA

Do you wake up with a sore or clenched jaw? If so, you may be grinding your teeth while you sleep. Fortunately, there are treatment options that your dentist can recommend to help stop teeth grinding and protect your teeth.

When to Seek Treatment

If you are experiencing any of the following conditions, you may be a candidate for treatment:

  • Gum Recession – Bruxism is a leading cause of gum recession and tooth loss. Grinding teeth can damage the soft tissue directly and lead to loose teeth and deep pockets where bacteria are able to colonize and decay the supporting bone.
  • Facial Pain – Grinding can eventually shorten and blunt the teeth. This can lead to muscle pain in the myofascial region and, in severe cases, incapacitating headaches.
  • Occlusal Trauma – The abnormal wear patterns on the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of the teeth can lead to fractures, which if left untreated, may require restorative treatment at a later time.
  • Arthritis – In the most severe cases, bruxism can eventually lead to painful arthritis in the temporomandibular (TMJ) joints that allow the jaw to open and close smoothly.

Treatment Options

There are few suitable solutions your dentist may recommend for grinding, including:

  • Mouthguard – An acrylic mouthguard can be designed from teeth impressions to minimize the abrasive grinding action during normal sleep. Mouthguards are expected to be worn on a long-term basis to help prevent tooth damage.
  • NTI-tss Device – This device only covers the front teeth and must be fitted at our office. The idea behind the NTI-tss is to prevent grinding the rear molars by limiting the contraction of the temporalis muscle in the jaw.

With advancements in dentistry, it is easier than to find the best solution to protect your oral health. To find out if treatment for teeth grinding is right for you, contact your dentist in Newport Beach CA to schedule your consultation today.

Tooth-Colored Fillings vs. Silver Fillings for Smile Restorations | Newport Beach CA

Restoring your smile by repairing minor cracks, decay, or broken portions of your teeth with dental fillings is an affordable smile makeover solution. In fact, tooth-colored fillings not only offer a natural-looking restoration to your tooth but also a healthier tooth repair solution when compared to silver fillings.

What to Expect with Silver Fillings

Though they are often used as an option for tooth repair, silver fillings have many drawbacks. The edges of the silver filling can wear down, become weak, or break which results in the tooth not being protected and lets cavities get started once again. With age, the metal of a silver filling expands, contracts, and can split. In addition, silver fillings contain 50% mercury. They can corrode, leak, and cause stains on your teeth and gums. The good news is that silver fillings can safely be replaced with tooth-colored restorations.

Why Choose Tooth-Colored Filling Restorations?

There are many advantages to tooth-colored restorations. Resin onlays are bonded to the teeth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. Such restorations can be used in instances where much of the tooth structure has been lost. The tooth remains intact and stronger. Since the resin used in tooth-colored restorations contains fluoride, it can help prevent decay. The resin wears like natural teeth and does not require placement at the gum line, which is healthier for your gums and your beautiful smile!

Schedule Your Tooth-Colored Restoration

If you have a chipped or decayed tooth, dental fillings may be the best solution to restore your smile. In addition, you can protect your oral health while ensuring your overall health with tooth-colored dental fillings that do not leak harmful chemicals into your body. To find out the best procedure to enhance your smile, contact your cosmetic dentist in Newport Beach today!

Why Choose Dental Bonding in Newport Beach CA

With the advances in dentistry, your cosmetic dentist can offer multiple affordable treatments to restore your smile. A commonly recommended smile makeover procedure is dental bonding. This treatment is an alternative to veneers and can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored, or misarranged which makes it appealing to most patients. To determine if bonding is the best solution to enhance your smile, it is best to understand the procedure and what to expect during your appointment.

Understanding the Procedure

The tooth is prepared for the procedure by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid. Once the liquid sets, a plastic resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the dentist. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed, and polished for a natural appearance.

What to Expect with Dental Bonding

The dental bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit and can significantly improve the appearance of a tooth. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip, or break than natural teeth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before the need of repair.

Schedule Your Appointment

Overall, bonding is an suitable solution for minor restorations to your smile. To find out if dental bonding is best for you, contact your dentist in Newport Beach to schedule your appointment.

Non-Surgical Root Canal FAQ | Newport Beach CA

What is a non-surgical root canal?

A non-surgical root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges.

At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums.

How is a root canal performed?

If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment. We use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. In addition, we will provide nitrous oxide analgesia if indicated. You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine.

What happens after treatment?

When your non-surgical root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond. To prevent further decay, continue to practice good dental hygiene.

To find out if root canal treatment is best for you, contact your dentist in Newport Beach to schedule your consultation today!

3 Reasons to Visit a Prosthodontist in Newport Beach CA

If you are missing one or more teeth, you may be wondering which dental professional will best help restore your smile. For many, visiting a prosthodontist in Newport Beach allows them to best understand the latest tooth-replacement options while receiving top-rated dental care.

Top Reasons to Visit a Prosthodontist in Newport Beach

There are many reasons to restore your smile beyond enhancing the appearance of your teeth and gums. A prosthodontist understands the benefits of replacing missing teeth and will help you best understand your options for optimal oral health. Prosthodontists specialize in the diagnosis, restoration, and replacement of missing teeth. Prosthodontists can restore oral function through the placement of restorations or prostheses (dentures, crowns, implants, etc.). In addition, other reasons to choose a prosthodontist include:

  • Training and Experience: Extensive training and experience give prosthodontists a unique understanding of restoring the dynamics of a smile and healthy mouth with the creation of tooth prostheses. Becoming a prosthodontist requires an additional three years of specialty training after obtaining a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) or DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree.
  • Collaboration with Your General Dentist in Newport Beach: Advanced deterioration of a patient’s teeth usually creates issues in addition to the loss of tooth or tooth structure which can be addressed by your prosthodontist in Newport Beach. While they may serve as the “architect” of a dental treatment plan, they will often collaborate with your general dentist and in special cases, other specialists to facilitate the complete treatment of your condition.
  • Significantly Enhance Your Smile: Prosthodontic treatment can literally redesign your smile with a number of different services including veneers, inlay/onlays, bonding, dental implants, dentures, teeth whitening, bridges, and crowns.

To find out more about the benefits of prosthodontic treatment, schedule your consultation with your dentist in Newport Beach CA today!

Dental Implants Cost | Newport Beach CA

Though the dental implants are a common tooth replacement treatment. You may be wondering how to get the best quality implants within your budget. When considering dental implants cost, you will want to discuss with your dentist the various options and quality to meet your smile makeover needs.

What to Look for When Considering Dental Implants Cost

There are a few things to look for to find the best dental implant option within your budget, including:

  • Longevity: When comparing the cost of dental implants to other tooth-replacement methods such as dentures and bridges, it is important to take into consideration the longevity offered by dental implants that is not always afforded by other, more traditional methods. While dentures and bridges are initially less expensive, their affordability can be short-lived. Because these older methods require repair and replacement every 5-10 years, they are often more expensive over time. By contrast, dental implants, when properly placed and cared for, can last a lifetime.
  • Jaw Bone Health: Over time, when a tooth is missing, the jaw bone deteriorates. So while a denture or bridge may seem to function similarly to a tooth, underneath the surface damage is being done to the jaw bone and ultimately to the structure of the face. This can result in the distortion of the shape of a person’s face, leading to additional cosmetic costs down the road.
  • Quality of Life: Dental implants can be seen as a long-term investment not only in terms of money but also in terms of quality of life. A dental implant is the closest thing to a natural tooth. In addition to allowing the patient to eat the same healthy foods he or she has always enjoyed, it also eliminates the day-to-day hassles and possible embarrassment that is frequently caused by dentures.

To find out more about how to choose the best dental implants for your smile, contact your cosmetic dentist in Newport Beach to schedule your appointment today!

Cost of Dental Veneers | Newport Beach CA

Dental veneers are thin shells of translucent, tooth-colored material that are placed over your teeth to cover stains, chips, gaps, and crooked teeth to make them look better. But before choosing this mode of treatment, you need to consider the cost of dental veneers treatment for your specific case and whether your budget allows it.

The cost of dental veneers varies depending on a number of factors, including:

  • Type of material – Porcelain is a popular material for dental veneers, though it’s more expensive than resin composite materials. Another popular material for dental veneers in Lumineers, which is even more expensive than the standard materials.
  • The number of teeth that will be repaired using veneers – Veneers should only be used to improve the appearance of teeth with visible damage, rather than all visible teeth to reduce the cost of treatment. 
  • Experience of your dentist – Make sure that your dentist gives you a few photos of previous clients who have repaired their teeth using the materials of your choice. An experienced dentist may ask for more money, but this is preferable to choosing an inexperienced dentist who places the veneer poorly, resulting in multiple trips for repairs that will cost you more time and money in the long run, even if the repairs are free. 
  • The office location – Dental practices in cities with a higher cost of living will be higher priced than those in smaller towns. 

Final Note 

Dental veneers are considered a cosmetic dental procedure, so they’re usually not covered by dental insurance policies. Your dental plan can, however, pay for professional teeth cleaning, which is necessary before veneer placement. 

Discover more about the advantages of veneers by scheduling your consultation with your dentist in Newport Beach CA today!

What to Expect with Dental Veneers in Newport Beach CA

Dental veneers in Newport Beach refer to an ultra-thin layer of tooth-colored material that is bonded over the facial surface of your front teeth to correct minor, aesthetic dental issues such as uneven tooth spacing or alignment, worn tooth enamel, chipped or broken teeth, cracks, and tooth discoloration. 

The Preliminary Appointment 

Before veneer placement, you will consult your dentist to discuss the best options for your case, and the number of veneers that should be placed depending on the condition of your teeth and budget. In some situations, it may be necessary to undergo other treatments before getting veneers, like using braces to correct uneven or crooked teeth. 

The dentist will take X-rays to evaluate the health of your teeth. This step is necessary to identify signs of gum disease, tooth decay, or other tooth defects that may need to be addressed before getting veneers. Otherwise, you’d not be a good candidate for veneers. 

Starting the Procedure 

On your next appointment, the dentist trims down about 0.5 mm (0.3 mm for non-prep veneers) from your tooth enamel using a grinding tool before taking impressions (mold) of the teeth. The mold is sent to a dental lab to assist in the fabrication of custom permanent veneers. This process takes 1-2 weeks, within which time you will have temporary veneers to protect the prepared teeth. 

When the permanent dental veneers in Newport Beach are ready, you will schedule another appointment to get them placed. The dentist examines the shape, fit, and shade of the veneers to ensure that it matches your other teeth and bite. Before placement, your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned to prevent any bacteria from getting trapped underneath the veneer, putting you at risk of decay. 

Next, a grinding tool is used to create a rough texture on the front surface of the tooth where the veneer will be applied so it sticks better. The permanent veneer is then placed using dental cement and hardened using ultraviolet light. 

Final Note 

Traditional porcelain veneers for many years. Taking good care of your teeth will help to maximize the longevity of your treatment. 

To learn more about the advantages of dental veneers, contact your Newport Beach dentist to schedule your appointment today!

Dental Veneers Near Me, Newport Beach CA

Dental veneers refer to thin shells of tooth-colored material that are permanently bonded to the front surface of damaged teeth to enhance their appearance. They’re typically made from resin-composite or porcelain materials and can be recommended to treat a range of cosmetic dental concerns including:

  • Chipped or broken teeth 
  • Discoloration or staining that can’t be fixed with whitening 
  • Smaller-than-average teeth 
  • Gaps in the teeth 
  • Crooked teeth 
  • Unusually shaped or pointed teeth 

Types of Dental Veneers 

Depending on your case, the dentist may recommend just one veneer to fix the damage, or multiple veneers to create a symmetrical smile. Veneers are usually applied to the top front six to eight teeth for aesthetics purposes. 

There are different types of veneers available, including:

  • Traditional porcelain veneers – These veneers measure about 0.5 mm in thickness, and require the removal of a similar amount of material from your tooth enamel to allow for smooth placement. 
  • No-prep veneers – Lumineers, Vivaneers, and composite resin veneers are thinner at 0.3 mm. They don’t require any tooth preparation before placement. These no-prep veneers are less invasive to apply and take less time, which makes them a popular choice for correcting minor aesthetic defects.

No-prep veneers are easier to place, but they’re not as effective for correcting discolored teeth because you’re limited to the number of layers you can add to hide the stains. Moreover, adding multiple layers increases the risk of creating a thicker tooth that may create hard to clean spots along the gumline, putting you at risk of gum disease. Traditional veneers are easier to smooth for a better fit and optimal oral hygiene. 

Your dentist will examine your teeth and thickness of tooth enamel in order to decide the best material for your veneers. Lumineers may be appropriate if you have thin tooth enamel to prevent the risk of tooth sensitivity. The choice of material will also depend on your budget since Lumineers are more expensive than porcelain and composite veneers. 

Please visit your cosmetic dentist in Newport Beach to discuss ways to improve your smile with dental veneers. 

What to Expect with Dental Bridges | Newport Beach CA

Dental bridges refer to a fabricated, replacement tooth that is connected to two crowns on either side and used to fill the gap left by a missing tooth. The crowns supporting the false tooth (pontic) are attached to the adjacent teeth on each side of the gap, forming a bridge. 

Dental bridgework provides one of several treatments available to replace one or more missing teeth. Getting a dental bridge typically requires two or more dental appointments:

During the First Appointment:

The dentist determines that you’re a good candidate for dental bridges, and proceeds to prepare the abutment teeth to support the crowns that will hold the pontic in place. Only adjacent healthy teeth can be used as abutment teeth. They’re prepared by removing some of the tooth enamel to create room to place the crown over them without changing the shape or size of the tooth. The dentist then takes an impression of the teeth that will be used to fabricate your permanent bridge in a dental lab. This process takes several days, so a temporary bridge will be placed over the prepared teeth to protect them in the meantime. 

For the Second Appointment:

When your permanent custom bridge is ready, you will be asked to return to the dentist’s office to have the temporary crowns removed and replaced with the permanent restoration. The dentist will check and adjust the fit of the abutment crowns before cementing them in place. Next, the dentist will assess the patient’s bite and adjust the bridgework accordingly. 

Final Note 

Your bridgework should last for many years on your oral hygiene routine and mouth-related habits such as clenching, grinding, nail-biting, and chewing on ice, all of which affect the amount of wear that the restoration is exposed to. Please discuss with your Newport Beach dentist about ways to maximize the longevity of your dental bridges. 

Schedule An Appointment

  • Glendora

    707 W. Route 66, Suite 102
    Glendora, CA 91740

    626-963-7581

    Office Hours:
    Mon & Wed: 8:00am–5:00pm
    Tue: 8:00am – 6:00pm
    Thu: 7:00am – 3:00pm
    Fri: By appointment only for special complex cases

    GLENDORA LOCATION
  • Newport Beach

    400 Newport Center Drive Suite 308
    Newport Beach, CA 92660

    626-963-7582

    Office Hours:
    Mon: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    Tuesday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
    Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    Friday: By appointment only for complex cases

    NEWPORT BEACH LOCATION
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